Month: March 2025

King Island

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Departing Launceston was a master class in packing. We were told we had a limit and some , particularly the golfers had clubs to check in.

After lots of laughs and weighing we made it into a small 16 seat plane.

Girls in the back.

A brief touch down in Wynyard to collect another 2 passengers then onto King Island.

Collecting the 3 cars takes a small committee of drivers. Not me !

Three couples are staying at Green Ponds Guesthouse with our pocket rocket Host Sonia

The remaining 3 couples are in 2 apartments just up the road.

We stopped for lunch at Legs. A coffee cafe in the day and a wine bar at night. We all walked in and the owner paled somewhat and said service would be slow. And it was but the coffee and the pizzas were great.

Across the road we could select between the IGA and Foodworks for our supplies. Fruit, wine and bread. Sonia has such a well stocked house for us to choose from. It’s so generous.

Our super host showed us the 8 big crays she would be using for our cray salad dinner. My goodness they amazing.

She got all the meat out for us and we had a mighty salad to go with it and Helen’s super dressing.

Beautiful Tasmanian wines and ice cream for dessert was the perfect alfresco dinner.

The air got cool so inside to the prelit fire for chat then early to bed. The beds were cosy, the quilts were a perfect weight, a window opened so sleep came easily.

It’s easy to sleep in. It’s dark until at least 7.30!

So we enjoyed breakfast whilst the golfers had left at 7 to drive north to Cape Wickham golf course.

The non golfers head to the Calcified Forest on the southern tip of the island. On the way we stopped at the site of the shipwreck Cataraqui. It was very sad to read about the 400 people who died there in 1845. Many of them children.

Onto the forest which I hadn’t read much about. Fascinating, they look a bit moon like.

Seal rocks was next. Absolutely gorgeous views. The coastline is treacherous.

Back into Currie the biggest town on the island. After a sandwich a few of the girls went exploring. We wanted to visit the Art Gallery and Museum. No luck. Both were closed even though they were advertised s as open. On small islands there is usually a reason they close. I’m sure our hostess Sonia will know.

Boathouse. Restaurant with no Food

We walked the trail around to the Boathouse- a restaurant with no food.

What a place. Colourful, fun, eccentric it’s a must. You can bring your own supplies and sit at one of the many painted tables. Done by local artist Caroline ( she came to the island for a week, 20 years ago and hasn’t left! ) the room is filled with of seafaring memorabilia. I don’t know how to describe it. Like being in Greece !

A small rest for all before heading off to Grassey on the opposite side of the coast. To Wild Harvest. It’s a small restaurant owned jointly by Lucinda and her business partner Ian Johnson. They own 2 restaurants here. Different styles on opposite coastlines.

Outside Wild Harvest
Ian giving us a between course food description

This one does a degustation. 5 courses. Before each course Ian – the most relaxed chef ever, comes out and explain to the diners what is coming next. there were 22 in the rustic room which Ian built himself.

More than satisfied friends.

Ian also runs a tour company for the island. People get off the plane. Onto his bus to the restaurant for dinner and stay the night at the hotel’ perfect!

We drove home avoiding kangaroos and fell into bed.

Tasmania in a nutshell

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Who doesn’t love Tasmania? it’s the most beautiful place with food and wines to add to the experience.

I joined our group of 12, two days late after attending my ArtsNational conference in Sydney. I had a bit of catching up to do. They were well relaxed when I arrived.

The first night we had dinner at Stillwater right on the Tamar River. Fabulous food in a cellar surrounded by the wonderful wines to compliment the food.

One happy group of 12

Jill and I walked the next morning. Just around the streets of Launceston – to orientate myself. It’s a lovely old city with many heritage buildings and parks. Some even with monkeys on display!

We headed off for lunch at Ghost Rock winery.

Kathy twisted our arm for a stop at the Christmas Creek berry farm. What a spot. The cafe overlooks the gardens and huge berry patch. Every type of berry inspired food was on the menu. We shared a crepe filled with berries and Steve had a berry affogato! A taste sensation.

A quick stop in Deloraine for a little walk to look at eccentric BnB and the street art.

Then the winery. A superb lunch. Local lamb roasted. Delicious Pinot Noir and some managed Persian Love cake for dessert.

A small walk and quiet night was needed to wind down after the long lunch.

The next morning we went walking. Down to the Tamar and across to the university. Housed in repurposed buildings the university looks relaxed and is also used for Parkrun. Lots of runners were arriving for their run

Tamar River with early morning rowers
Looking across to the university.
Tassie House. Timber is used extensively

Back through the markets with all the local produce on display.

Mushrooms

The golfers had left early for their game at the very well know Barnbougle Golf Club. We were meeting for lunch after at the beautiful restaurant.

But first a coffee stop at Bridport. A pretty place by the sea. Swimmers contemplated a swim. But sense won out and e walked around the town before grading for the golf club 10 mins away.

Lunch with a view.

Sensational bouillabaisse for lunch.

The golfer reported an excellent round. Great first 9 the. A very windy second 9. Quite a few lost balls!

Back to Launceston is Brady’s lookout.

Another quiet evening at the Central apartments.

Festival Favourites

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There is always a lot to choose from in Adelaide at this time of year.

One of my favourites – for being beautiful was going to the Botanic Gardens for the Chihuly glass exhibition.

We saw this in Kew Gardens London a few years ago so I was keen to see it here in Adelaide. I wasn’t disappointed. Most pieces on display are different to the exhibition in London.

We arrived in the afternoon light as it was getting toward sunset. Beautiful.

We visited the deck cafe for a G& T and something to eat before starting the trail around the park visiting the 16 sites of glass. about 2.5km of walking.

There was music. This week it’s Texas a country western band. Lots of fun.

Then we started walking. It’s dark along the path with fairy lights directing you around.

I’ll just post my favourite. Though all were stunning.

We’ve also been to a few fringe shows at night. One with Louise Messenger who we saw 2 years ago when she sang Ella Fitzgerald. This time it was stories of love…. And sometimes breakups!

She was great.

For another change we went just into the hill to Sleeps Hill to the old tunnels from the train that ran up the hill and through to Melbourne between 1879 and finishing in 1919. Then it became a mushroom farm and is now privately owned and open to the public during festival time.

It’s a curious place. Underground with big thick brick walls painted white. You walk through about 600 metre of tunnel. Divided by big black curtains each section has something different. A bit about the history, photos of the time.

Then movies on the ceiling of different plants – mushrooms moving. Then paper mushrooms painted amazing fluro colours.

The last section was the train heading toward Adelaide coming out of the tunnel

I’m back at writers week after having day 4 off. Is all a bit overwhelming to be there everyday. and quite hot.

Today I listened to Daisy Goodwin talk about her novel Diva about Maria Callas and to Dava Sobel and her book on Marie Curie. Very interesting

Then a session on writers using place to effect in their writing.

Now at one on history.

Lots of Trump talk! The session with Nick Bryant was great. He’s a journalist who has lived in the states and written about the political history of the US. He has great insight. And he’s moved back to Australia. Says it all!

Steve returned to Brisbane today. Hopefully he gets back before the cyclone winds of Alfred get too much.

Adelaide Festival Time…. Again

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I look forward to this time of the….. visiting family during festival time. And it’s made extra special as my choir are performing once more at the Fringe Festival.

Our choir, called Soul Singers , are doing as fun interactive show called Bangers & Mash Ups. It’s a combination of popular songs gathered into themes. Love Bangers, Boy Band, Rock Bangers etc. loads of fun and interactive for the audience.

Yes, it a sell out. Over 800 tickets have been sold. Not too bad ! And the envy of many other fringe shows I’m sure.

We arrived Thursday and it’s been all singing and family since then. Apart from my morning walk. The streets of Adelaide are still beautiful despite the lack of rain.

Residents seem to accept that gardens and lawns will turn brown during the hot dry summer months. They will regenerate later when rain finally arrives.

Fast forward…….

A week has passed. The concert went so well. Lots of fun.

What have I been doing this week?

Steve and I went to the pool at Burnside a few times. I have a swim trek to prepare for in June.

I’ve been walking everyday. The start are shaded so despite the heat it’s cool under all the shady trees.

We went to Zooma Zooma a fun musical festival show. I always love visiting the Garden of Unearthly Delights.

More walking. Lots of lovely walks here in Adelaide. Interesting suburban park at Unley with sculptures.

A visit to Payneham for the Soul Song choir there. There are Soul Song choir in 4 states. Find one near you. Payneham was fun.

Cindy the choir leader gives a great warm up using her drum.

Out to Glenelg for lunch with a view. Fish’n chips of course.

And two birthday parties.

One for Magnus 15 and one for Florence 7

Magnus requested a Wollies mud cake despite his mum Vashti offering any cake 🎂 he wanted – from the WW cake book. Florence chose the unicorn.

We made it to before school big band concert at Soraya’s school. She’s 17 and in Yr 12. her formal was on Friday. So lots of activity around that.

After the excitement of my choir gig it’s been lots of family time and relaxing.

More next week from the wonderful Writer’s Week